Network Operations Engineer, Network Activation

Details

About the Team

The compute infrastructure team runs the GPU fleet and large-scale compute clusters that serve the models backing ChatGPT and the API, while also supporting training workloads for next-generation models. The team operates a large, modern GPU fleet and provides a unified platform for other OpenAI teams to run production Applied AI and Research training workloads.

The team seeks to learn from deployment and distribute the benefits of AI while ensuring that this powerful tool is used responsibly and safely.

About the Role

Own the hands-on and automation work that brings WAN, fiber, carrier, and cloud-interconnect circuits into service. Partner with network engineers, fiber providers, cloud service providers, colocation teams, and data-center technicians to move each connection from ordered and patched to verified, stable, and ready for handoff.

Own Layer 1 troubleshooting and circuit bring-up while building workflows that translate reliable system or model output into precise, approved technician actions, capture field feedback, and drive each connection to a green-port handoff.

The role combines strong physical-networking judgment with practical automation skills, including patch-panel and port mappings, optics and light levels, provider coordination, structured operational data, API or scripting workflows, and human-in-the-loop LLM tooling.

Responsibilities

• Own Layer 1 activation and restoration for carrier circuits, dark fiber, wavelengths, Ethernet handoffs, and dedicated cloud interconnects across data centers and points of presence.
• Reconcile complete A-side/Z-side as-builts, including circuit IDs, LOAs/CFAs, carrier demarcations, MMR/ODF/MDF and patch-panel positions, fiber pairs, cross-connects, optics, and device ports.
• Investigate no-light, low-light, wrong-port, link-flap, and error-rate issues across providers and cloud service providers. Isolate continuity, dirty connectors, polarity, incorrect patching, incompatible optics or media, wavelength and power-budget problems, breakout, speed, and FEC/PCS mismatches.
• Guide remote hands, carrier technicians, cloud service provider operations, and colocation teams through targeted inspection and cleaning, VFL, optical power, OTDR/OLTS, approved loopback, and per-lane DOM/DDM tests.
• Verify service acceptance on both sides, including the correct circuit and port, administrative and operational state, compatible optics, light levels, speed/FEC, clean counters, stable links, and Layer 2/3 handoff readiness.
• Own tickets and troubleshooting bridges through resolution; identify blockers and A-side/Z-side owners, drive follow-ups, escalate with evidence, and prevent premature closure.
• Execute smart-hands and change work safely by identifying the exact circuit, port, and fiber pair; protecting adjacent live services; obtaining approval before intrusive tests, repatches, shutdowns, or loopbacks; and maintaining rollback procedures.
• Deliver complete production handoffs with verified mappings, provider and cloud service provider references, test results, interface evidence, incident history, risks, and clear ownership. Improve runbooks and prevent repeat faults.
• Automate the full circuit-bring-up lifecycle by structuring circuit, port, and patch-panel data; ingesting telemetry and provider tickets; generating LLM-assisted diagnostics and technician-ready instructions; tracking ownership and evidence; and preserving explicit human approval for intrusive work.

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands-on network operations, carrier activation, data-center network deployment, field engineering, optical transport, or related infrastructure experience. Equivalent practical experience is valued.
• Ability to trace an end-to-end circuit across cross-connects, fiber pairs, patch panels, carrier demarcations, optics, and both A-side and Z-side device ports.
• Experience troubleshooting optical faults using inspection and cleaning tools, optical power meters, VFL, OLTS/OTDR evidence, DOM/DDM, interface status, and provider test results.
• Understanding of single-mode and multimode fiber, LC and MPO/MTP connectors, duplex polarity, TX/RX paths, wavelength and power budgets, and 100G/400G/800G optics.
• Experience working with carriers, colocation providers, remote hands, AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, or Google Cloud Interconnect, with the ability to persist through multi-party ownership gaps.
• Ability to build practical automation with scripts, APIs, and structured data, and safely translate LLM-generated analysis into validated actions for data-center technicians.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. OpenAI pushes the boundaries of AI system capabilities and seeks to safely deploy them through its products.

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Background checks and reasonable accommodations are handled in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for health, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off, paid company holidays, office closures, and paid sick or safe time as required by law.
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend.
• Daily office meals and eligible meal delivery credits.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Equity, performance-related bonuses for eligible employees, and other potential taxable fringe benefits.